Riding on Nicholas Pooran's carnage-filled century Trinbago Knight Riders clinched a dominant 42-run victory over the Barbados Royals in the 2023 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Thursday, September 7.
Pooran, who is one of the best players in the shortest version of the game, unleashed a beast in him and smashed his way to a 51-ball century. The left-hander struck five fours and 10 sixes to get to the mark and remained unbeaten on 102* off 53 deliveries as he led Trinbago Knight Riders to a massive 208/6 in this match.
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The Knight Riders didn't have the smoothest start, with opener Mark Deyal returning to the pavilion early, courtesy of a stunning catch by Roelof van der Merwe at the boundary. However, Pooran, partnering with Martin Guptill, stabilised the innings by crafting a 56-run partnership. The momentum seemed to dip again as Guptill was dismissed and, in a déjà vu from the previous game, captain Kieron Pollard was caught in a run-out mishap.
However, the Knight Riders weren't done yet. In came the dynamic Andre Russell, joining forces with Pooran. The duo treated the home crowd to an explosive show, launching a barrage of sixes and scripting an 82-run partnership in a mere 36 balls. Nicholas Pooran, showcasing his T20 prowess, hit a phenomenal century, marking his second ton in CPL history.
Responding to the daunting target, the Barbados Royals faced early jitters, with Rahkeem Cornwall falling prey to Akeal Hosein's crafty spin in the third over. Yet, hope remained as Kyle Mayers steered the innings, displaying grit and determination to notch up a well-earned fifty. But the Knight Riders' bowlers, led by Hosein and spin magician Waqar Salamkheil, maintained a stranglehold on the game.
Mayers, after contributing a valiant 70, was sent back by a swift delivery from Ali Khan. From there, the required run rate surged, becoming insurmountable for the Royals, who could muster only 166/7 in their 20 overs.
This significant win augments the Trinbago Knight Riders' position in the CPL 2023 leaderboard, elevating them to nine points and strengthening their bid for a playoff berth.
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